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The ZenRUN Podcast

The ZenRUN Podcast

By: Michelle Frost
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All things mental and physical health! You’ll find in-depth interviews with runners as we delve into why they run and what keeps them running. And interviews with specialists on the brain and the effects of exercise on it – chemically and physically. Plus tips to keep you moving with a positive mindset.. So much goodnessCopyright 2021 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Running & Jogging
Episodes
  • Episode 650 - ZenRUN Moment 4: Look further ahead

    Episode 650 - ZenRUN Moment 4: Look further ahead
    Jun 24 2026

    Where do you look when you run?

    If you’re like many runners, the answer is probably down. Down at the trail. Down at your feet. Down at your watch. And while there’s nothing wrong with that occasionally, it can sometimes make running feel smaller, tighter, and more effort-focused than it needs to be.

    This week’s ZenRUN Moment is a simple invitation to look further ahead. As you run, gently lift your gaze and take in more of the world around you. Notice the horizon, the trees, the next bend in the trail, or the sky stretching out above you. You don’t need to stare into the distance the entire run - just allow your visual field to open up from time to time.

    Many runners find that when they do this, their posture improves naturally. Their shoulders relax. Their breathing feels easier. Mentally, things can soften too. Instead of being trapped inside the effort of the run, you become part of the environment you’re moving through.

    On your next run, try lifting your gaze every few minutes and see what happens. You might discover that the run feels a little lighter, a little calmer, and a lot more enjoyable.

    Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels.

    💛 Want your running (and your headspace) to feel a little lighter?

    If you enjoyed this ZenRUN Moment, you might love The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and tools designed to help you clear your mind, reset your rhythm, and fall back in love with running.

    👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

    A couple of small favours

    1️⃣ If you’re enjoying the podcast, a quick follow, like, or review helps more runners discover it.

    2️⃣ Got a running story - or know someone we should chat with? I’d love to hear from you.

    Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

    or email hello@zenrun.club
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    3 mins
  • Episode 649 - MFYU Mini Series - Luke Slater’s Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Journey - 37 Yards, Team Della and the Second-Night Question

    Episode 649 - MFYU Mini Series - Luke Slater’s Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Journey - 37 Yards, Team Della and the Second-Night Question
    Jun 23 2026
    Welcome to the next episode in the 2026 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series on the ZenRUN Podcast. This series follows a handful of athletes through their actual Melbourne Frontyard Ultra journey - not just the neat little result at the end, but the real story along the way. The pre-race nerves. The crew tent chaos. The tired check-ins. The food, the feet, the weather, the tiny naps, and eventually the wrap-up chat when their race is done. In this episode, we’re following the wonderful Luke Slater. Luke came into Melbourne Frontyard Ultra with a lot of Backyard Ultra experience, a big goal, and a very special crew - including his daughter Della, who was there from start to finish, sorting feet, managing gear, saving minutes, and somehow still packing down the marquee while we were doing the final interview. Honestly, Della deserves her own medal. Luke was born in Norwich in England, came to Australia originally to play soccer, studied law, became a criminal lawyer, and now lives in Shepparton with his four children. His running story is fairly recent, but very Luke. After years of soccer and boxing, he started running properly after seeing people doing the Shepparton GV Backyard Ultra and wondering why on earth they looked like they were on the edge of death. And instead of thinking, “That looks terrible, I’ll stay away from that,” he thought, “I’d like to have a go at that.” As you do. Since then, Backyard Ultras have become his main running love. Before Melbourne Frontyard Ultra, his best result was 52 yards, which had him sitting high on the Great Britain list and chasing a potential spot at the Backyard Ultra World Championships. So Luke came into this event hoping to go further, cement that position, and see what he could do. But, as always with this format, you can have the experience, the goal, the crew, the plan, the foot prep, the ginger, the no-milk strategy, and still eventually find yourself deep in the second night asking one of the great ultra-running questions: Why am I doing this? In this episode, you’ll hear Luke before the race, relaxed and getting his feet sorted while his family were gathered around the tent. You’ll hear him early on around yard 5 after a fast lap, a tumble, a wash, noodles, and some excellent work from Team Della. You’ll hear him around yard 20, sleepy but steady, adjusting to the new norm after around 130 kilometres and looking ahead to the challenge of the second night. And then you’ll hear him around yard 33, where the dizziness, tiredness, loneliness and second-night grind were starting to make things much harder - but he was still moving, still clear, and still surrounded by a great team. Luke eventually made it to 37 yards - nearly 250 kilometres - before the lack of sleep, dizziness, and the slow creep of “what on earth am I doing?” brought his race to an end. And in the wrap-up, he reflects beautifully on the whole experience: the suffering, the life lessons, the memories, the pressure of needing help from other people, the value of family, and what it meant to have Della crewing him so calmly and capably through it all. This episode is thoughtful, funny, honest, and full of that strange Backyard Ultra mix of practicality and philosophy. Because yes, it’s just running 6.7K loops around a park. But also, somehow, it’s never just that. Why You’ll Love This Episode You’ll hear Luke’s journey from soccer and boxing into Backyard UltrasLuke talks about chasing a place on the Great Britain Backyard Ultra teamThere’s a lovely father-daughter thread with Della crewing him through the eventWe talk blisters, feet, sleep, stomach issues, ginger, and avoiding milkYou’ll hear how quickly the event changes once the second night arrivesLuke shares honestly about dizziness, fatigue, loneliness, and questioning why we do these thingsIt captures the strange beauty of suffering with purposeAnd yes - there is a lot of appreciation for Team Della A Few Favourite Themes The crew story matters Luke’s daughter Della was a huge part of this episode. Calm, capable, organised, and fully committed to helping him get back out one more time. Experience helps, but it doesn’t make it easy Luke had plenty of Backyard Ultra experience, but the format still found a way to test him. The second night is a different beast Around yard 33, things started getting much harder. Less sleep, more dizziness, more mental fog, and that feeling of being deep in the event with no easy way through except forward. Sometimes you question everything At one point Luke talks about seeing casual runners in the park looking like they’re having a great time while he’s wondering why he’s doing this to himself. Which feels very relatable, frankly. There is meaning in the suffering Luke reflects on how these events can teach us something about life - managing discomfort, dealing with hard moments, and keeping going when things are no longer fun or easy. Listen In For...
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    40 mins
  • Episode 648 - Simon Poli - ultra running, beer, Delirious, busted ankles, and finding your people

    Episode 648 - Simon Poli - ultra running, beer, Delirious, busted ankles, and finding your people
    Jun 22 2026
    In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderfully dry, very funny, and deeply embedded-in-the-Delirious-world Simon Poli. Simon is one of those people who seems to quietly sit behind the scenes making things happen - which is possibly a terrible description because he also has a habit of casually doing ridiculous things like 200 milers, running from Bunbury to the start of Delirious, drinking beers mid-ultra, and helping race direct some of the most loved Ultra Series events in WA. As you do. Simon grew up in Bunbury, spending weekends playing in the bush with his brother Felix, climbing through quarries, exploring trails, and somehow surviving childhood adventures that would probably cause modern parents to faint. Running wasn’t really the plan at the start. There was soccer, hockey, speed skating, basketball, indoor soccer, obstacle racing, and eventually trail running - thanks partly to Felix inviting him to a night trail race called Moon Shadow. And that was it. Simon was hooked. We talk about his early life, becoming a dad young, building a long career in supermarkets, moving to Kalgoorlie, finding community, discovering trail running, and the deep friendships that have come through the ultra running world. Of course, we also talk about Delirious. Simon shares how he first got involved with Ultra Series, what it’s like being part of the team behind the events, and why he loves seeing runners finish something they never thought they could do - whether that’s a short trail race, a backyard lap, or a 200 miler. There are also some brilliant stories in this episode, including: his brother Felix and their very unique trail adventuresthe unofficial “16K ultra” idea at Lake Ballardmeeting Peter through runninggetting married in Spain around a mountain racerunning 200 milers like moving picnicswhy 100 milers feel more like raceswhy he does not understand the appeal of the beachhis current ankle recovery after finally listening to the expertsStar Wars Legobeermore beerand the joy of finding your people Simon’s running story is funny, honest, very Aussie, and full of that beautiful ultra running truth - it’s not always about the race result. Sometimes it’s about the people, the ridiculous ideas, the stories, the community, and the places running takes you. Tips from Simon Simon shared a few simple but very useful reminders: If you roll your ankle - rest. Simon is currently recovering from ankle surgery after years of rolling, ignoring, strapping, and continuing on. His advice is very clear: don’t keep running on something that needs time to heal. Find your why. If motivation is missing, Simon says it helps to come back to why you want to do it in the first place. And if running isn’t the thing that lights you up right now, that’s okay too. Find something that does. Get involved in the community. Running can open the door to incredible friendships, adventures, and support. Simon talks beautifully about how much the ultra community has given him. Volunteer at an event. Even if you’re not running, volunteering can give you a huge buzz. Helping someone else reach their goal is pretty special. Don’t overcomplicate it. Just get out there, enjoy it, and be part of it in whatever way you can. Pass the Baton Simon has also given us the first “Pass the Baton” question for the next runner interview: What’s the one food you wouldn’t share with someone, even if they were really struggling in an ultra? Which feels very Simon, honestly. Delirious WEST event website: https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ Interested in the 2027 DW? Go join the event Facebook Group so you don’t miss when the race opens for entries in June for new runners: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387 💛 Want your running to feel lighter again? If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run. 👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset 🙏 A couple of big favours 1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations. 2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you or someone you know has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you. Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club or email hello@zenrun.club 🎧 Don’t miss an episode Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.
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    2 hrs and 16 mins
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